Audax rides

I see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk6pO7eLeiM

Think we talked about this a few pages ago - looks like there's sufficient interest...

I also think I brought it up when someone told me about 25000 award, which requires a Fleche.
I wonder if that has to be a calendar event or if we can organise our own?

I think they are specific calendar events... Easter & summer (on a pre-determined date)

You're gonna love the rules......

http://www.audax-club-parisien.com/EN/432.html

Sorry, I think I've already pimped myself out to another motley crew for next Easter, nothing formal as such, but I did volunteer services after SOH.
They might not want me though 😟

I'd be up for an easter arrow. It ends in a pub, right?

The website's done its calculations, and my 100AAA are now officially 100AAA from BR or BRM events.

Mission accomplished.

I'm going to be riding a lot less Audax next season I've decided. I think I've entered Wessex cals, I've a set of Wessex Perms, and a few odd hilly 100s that I hope are still valid.

Might sneak 50AAA.

Someone else organise the timings/distances/route.
I'll just sit on the front for ~400k. Two other forum fuckers have to make it with me.
Job done.

Just an update on BGB this weekend and a bit of a brain dump for my first Audax.
So two of the three of us planning to ride it made it to the start. Only 50% of those signed up showed up to start. Not sure what the usual rate is but the weather, I’d guess mainly the wind clearly put a few off.
I had less than ideal preparation having had a cold and still with a cough for a few weeks. We also missed rolling out with the group which was a bit of a rookie mistake.
I found the first hour or two quite tough mentally as both my parents had been messaging me telling me to take care etc. This made me quite tense, added to an imminent new arrival at the end of November was another factor here and it took me this time to calm down and realise it was just another ride. The route however was very quiet and I felt safe and I settled well after this.
The wind was a factor during the night making it cold and affecting average speed. I actually felt quite good generally, my low point came near Moffat a puncture and hit a bit of a wall for half an hour or so.
We made Glasgow in just over 18 hours. It felt unrealistic and not within my expectation that we could make it back within the time controls, with such little resting time available, so we agreed to scratch at half way.
I feel pretty disappointed, it’s the first failure I’ve had since being back on the bike. It will make PBP hard, if not impossible to get in to now but overall I learnt a lot. Kit choices were good, I definitely want a dynamo though. I think the main thing was what affected me mentally and working out how to address those things for future events in terms of sleep expectations and sense of safety.
I met some nice people and learnt a lot about myself so by no means a bad experience and a big thanks to my riding buddy.

missed rolling out with the group which was a bit of a rookie mistake

Not just rookie...

main thing was what affected me mentally

Almost always the case.

There's always the next ride.

Yep, very much this.
Learnt some good lessons though.

It will make PBP hard, if not impossible to get in to now

Not necessarily, PBP hasn't sold out in decades.

Well that's a positive.

I didn't do any prequalifying rides when I rode PBP last time. I didn't even know it was a thing.

Should I do that Greenwich Mean Climb next weekend? Is the weather going to be good? I can't be arsed with more soggyness.

Last forecast ichecked was good. 4 per cent chance of rain all day, bit of sunshine in the afternoon

Yeah, looks alright. Think I'm just being lazy. Have to put bottle cages on (or the bag back on) and then ride out and then ride 300k and then ride back. All versus just getting pissed up at a local pub. I hate this time of the year.

Have to put bottle cages on (or the bag back on)

Think how much better the beer will taste. How much extra is your ridr to the start / home from the finish? I'm slightly dreading the latter

Cant decide either to switch my compact cranks over from tourer to road bike, or just ride tourer. Road only has a 39 / 27, might struggle climbing the downs 4 times

Take the bike with the lowest gears, it's not a ride you will need to worry about going fast on

This is me whenever I have to do any form of work on a bike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSTXuJeTks

Lowest gears, most mudguardage, mostest baggsies

Have to put bottle cages on (or the bag back on) and then ride out and then ride 300k and then ride back

I'm gutted I can't make this. I've got to ride all the way to Harefield to have lunch in a pub. Must remember to take lights.